Love’s 37-23 night headlines Oscar night’s S&Ds

Kevin Love’s scoring and rebounding binge through the NBA continued Sunday with another vintage performance.

Love tallied 37 points and 23 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves’ 126-123 triumph over Golden State. It was his fourth 30-20 game of the season and his 46th consecutive double-double.

His big game came after a brutally frank meeting among his teammates Saturday night after the team had lost seven straight games.

“This was almost a must-win for us,” Love told reporters after the game. “We felt like we haven’t been playing well the past five or six games, and we had to come out and win this one. So we’re just happy we did.”

After struggling in recent games, Love had a 20-10 in the first half and a 30-20 before the end of the third quarter. Only Pau Gasol has a 30-20 effort this season in the NBA.

“I was very, very frustrated by the last game,” Love told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, referring to Friday’s home loss to New Orleans. “I think everybody saw that. I just wanted to come out and play well.”

Love’s big effort headed the players who were spotlighted across the association on Oscar night. Here’s a list of them — and a few who would like to forget Sunday night.

STUDS

Minnesota F Kevin Love: Muscled for 37 points and 23 rebounds — his fourth 30-20 game of the season and 46th consecutive double-double — and was plus-18 in the Timberwolves’ 126-123 triumph over Golden State.

San Antonio G Manu Ginobili: Scored 18 of his season-best 35 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Spurs’ 95-88 victory over Memphis. Ginobili also had six rebounds, a team-high assists and was plus-11.

Phoenix F Grant Hill: Erupted for 34 points, nine rebounds and four assists in the Suns’ victory at Indiana — the Suns’ third straight triumph and seventh in their last nine games. It was his biggest scoring effort since Feb. 27, 2oo5.

Houston G Kevin Martin: Notched 33 points — his third straight 30-point game — and added five rebounds and four steals in the Rockets’ wild 91-89 comeback victory at New Orleans. It was the Rockets’ fourth straight triumph.

Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki: Tallied 31 points, 13 rebounds and was plus-13 in the Mavericks’ 114-96 triumph at Toronto — their sixth straight win as they charged back from an early 19-point deficit.

New York F Carmelo Anthony: Scored 29 points and nine rebounds to help spark the Knicks’ 91-86 comeback victory at Miami.

Atlanta G Jamal Crawford: Came off the bench to score a game-high 23 points in the Hawks’ 90-83 triumph at Portland.

Phoenix C Channing Frye: Hit the game-winning jumper as time expired to power the Suns’ 110-108 overtime victory over Indiana. Frye finished with 14 points.

Minnesota Wesley Johnson: Provided two critical defensive stops in the final seconds to wrap up the Timberwolves’ victory over Golden State.

Golden State G Stephen Curry: Produced team-leading totals of 33 points and 11 rebounds and was plus-4 in the Warriors’ loss at Minnesota.

Miami F LeBron James: Produced 27 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals in the Heat’s loss to New York.

Cleveland F J.J. Hickson: Notched 22 points, 16 rebounds, two steals and was a team-best plus-14 in the Cavaliers’ loss to Philadelphia.

DUDS

Miami G Dwyane Wade: Limited to 12 points on 5-for-15 shooting with five turnovers in the Heat’s loss to New York.

Minnesota G Luke Ridnour: Went 5-for-16 from the field with three turnovers in the Timberwolves’ victory over Golden State.

Houston F Luis Scola: Limited to six points on 3-for-13 shooting with two turnovers and was minus-4 in the Rockets’ victory over New Orleans.

Charlotte G Gerald Henderson: Struggled through a 2-for-13 effort with only four points in the Bobcats’ loss to Orlando.

Indiana F Dahntay Jones: Clanked through a 3-for-10 night off the bench with two turnovers in the Pacers’ overtime loss to Phoenix.

Memphis coach Lionel Hollins: Elected to keep top defender Shane Battier away from Manu Ginobili for most of the fourth quarter. Ginobili feasted on smaller defenders for 18 points in the quarter as the Spurs charged back for the comeback triumph.

Portland G Rudy Fernandez: Limited to five points on 1-for-7 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-7 in the Trail Blazers’ loss to Philadelphia.

New Orleans G Chris Paul: Struggled through a miserable 2-for-12 shooting night and was limited to six points in the Hornets’ loss to New Orleans.

Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Hit only 8-for-20 from the field with five turnovers in the Thunder’s loss to the Lakers.

Cleveland G Anthony Parker: Went 1-for-8 from the field and was limited to two points in the Cavaliers’ loss to the 76ers.

Toronto G Jerryd Bayless: Struggled through a 2-for-8 shooting effort and was minus-16 in 14 minutes in the Raptors’ loss to Dallas.